Black Cohosh has been used as a traditional and long-time treatment for women's health issues, mostly by balancing hormone levels. It is used to relieve stress-related problems associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), including headaches and depressed mood. It has also been a remedy for dysmenorrhea that will induce menstruation, relieve menstrual cramps and regulate its flow. It is a wonderful, natural sedative that is used to relax the entire body, relieve aches and pains and alleviate anxiety and depression.
Black Haw Bark has been used historically for the treatment of false labor pains and to prevent spontaneous abortion. Studies have shown that it relaxes peripheral blood vessels, thus lowering high blood pressure, and helping to minimize the chance of hemorrhage prior to childbirth and during menopause. Black Haw Bark's sedative and anodyne properties have been shown to help dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation). The herb relaxes the stress on the uterus and helps tone the reproductive system. Traditional use of Black Haw Bark is for the treatment of uterine irritability, severe menstrual pain, cramps, painful pelvic contractions, and lumbar pain. )
Chamomile is an emmenagogue, an agent that helps to bring on menstruation and regulate its flow. Back in the days when women suffered from the mysterious condition called "the vapors," Chamomile was administered to relieve "hysterical and nervous affections" - actually meaning nervous stomach, menstrual cramps and other common problems related to stress. Chamomile is a natural sedative that has a long history of use as a tranquilizer. Modern science claims that it does indeed soothe frayed nerves, because it actually slows down the central nervous system.
Chasteberry has been used for centuries to control and regulate the female reproductive system. The herb appears to show the presence of compounds that are able to adjust the production of female hormones. It normalizes hormone levels and helps to regulate menstrual cycles, helping to regulate monthly periods and treat amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), and endometriosis. Chasteberry also helps to relieve the discomforts of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), including water retention, anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia, and mood changes. It is said to have a calming and soothing effect on the body and has been used to relieve pains in the limbs, muscle cramps, spasms, and weakness.
Cramp Bark sounds exactly like what it is! It has been used to relieve cramps of all kinds , including menstrual pains, and relaxes muscles and eases spasms of the lower back and legs. Cramp Bark supports uterine function, helps regulate excessive blood flow during menstruation and menopause, and eases postpartum, uterine, and ovarian pain. The herb is also mildly sedative and helps to relieve many nervous conditions. The scopoletin content in the herb has been known to relax the uterus, helping to ease painful menstruation, regulate blood flow, and alleviate postpartum and ovarian pain. As a bitter astringent, Cramp Bark is thought to be effective in treating excessive blood loss during menstruation and menopause.
Dong Quai is famous as an overall tonic for the reproductive system that assists the body in using and balancing hormones and has been used to relieve the discomforts of PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), menorrhagia (abnormal menstruation), and may help in cases of infertility. After the delivery of a child, women have considered Dong Quai a post-partum tonic that helps to regulate the menses and build the blood. It is also thought to re-establish the menstrual cycle after withdrawal from birth control pills. As a uterine tonic, it promotes an increase in contractions followed by a prolonged relaxation.
Feverfew acts as an anti-inflammatory by reducing the body's manufacture of prostaglandin, a chemical that produces inflammation. Feverfew is a mild sedative and antispasmodic that will help relieve muscle spasms. It is also a mild laxative and helps to relieve gas and bloating. For menstrual discomfort, Feverfew is thought to be a pain reliever, and as an emmenagogue, it is used to promote the onset of the menstrual flow. It may also stimulate uterine contractions.
Ginkgo Biloba has been known to provide relief for the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, including fluid retention and breast tenderness. As an astringent, antifungal, and antibacterial, Ginkgo helps to ward off kidney infections, diphtheria, dysentery, hemorrhoids, toxic shock, and has a beneficial effect on the urinary system, treating incontinence and excessive urination. It is also useful in treating vaginal infection.
Hops is a diuretic and is believed to relieve water retention and excess uric acid. Very important and ongoing research has proven the hormonal properties that Hops were thought to possess historically. Hops is believed to have estrogenic activity, and laboratory studies have indicated that some chemicals in it bind to estrogen receptors, helping to treat symptoms of menopause and other problems related to lack of estrogen production in women. Used as a nervine and tonic, Hops has a calming effect on the entire body. It is said to have a soothing effect on the nervous system that is helpful in treating restlessness, anxiety, stress, nervous diarrhea, hyperactivity, fits, delirium tremens and, of course, insomnia. Hops is considered an anodyne that has been thought to relieve pain.
Motherwort is well known as an emmenagogue, an agent that promotes menstrual flow and controls its flow. It is good for other "female troubles," by encouraging and easing uterine contractions during childbirth (which facilities delivery) and as a painkiller, easing the pain of childbirth, menstrual cramping, and menstrual-related headaches. Motherwort is said to balance hormones and is believed to relieve the discomforts of PMS and the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. After childbirth, the herb has been used to tone and restore uterine health and reduce the risk of postpartum bleeding.
Passion Flower is a very gentle (but effective) sedative that has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. The alkaloids and flavonoids are believed to be effective, non-addictive sedatives, which promote restful, sound sleep, particularly in cases of nervous insomnia. It is one of nature's best tranquilizers and has been used for centuries as a reliable remedy for nervous, menopausal, and premenstrual tension, irritability, fatigue, and tension headaches. It is said to gently shift moods, alter perception, and aid concentration; and the alkaloids are thought to act in a similar way as MAO inhibitors, which may be of some help in cases of depression.
Red Raspberry has been used for centuries to strengthen the reproductive system in women. The herb is said to relieve heavy cramping during menstruation. The ferulic acid content in the herb is said to be a uterine relaxant, stimulating the muscles that support the uterus and allowing for easier menstrual flow. It is thought to help relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and also reduce excessive menstrual bleeding. There are reports that Red Raspberry may also help to alleviate hot flashes. To further support women's health, Red Raspberry is thought to tone and regulate the uterine muscles. If the smooth muscle is tight, the herb is said to relax it; likewise, if the muscle is relaxed Red Raspberry causes contractions, and when taken during the last two months of pregnancy, it is believed to strengthen and tone the uterine muscles and stimulate labor and delivery and possibly even help to shorten delivery and ease pain. After birth, Red Raspberry is taken for several weeks to help reduce swelling and bleeding and return the uterus to its normal tone.
Valerian Root is an antispasmodic and helps to alleviate muscle, intestinal, and menstrual cramps. As an analgesic, Valerian's pain relieving qualities are especially beneficial to athletes or anyone engaged in aerobics, weight training, or strenuous exercise as a preventative and recovery treatment for aches and pains. It also helps headaches. Valerian Root is Nature's tranquilizer. For centuries it has been used to regulate the nervous system and relieve tension, irritability, nervous exhaustion and stress, anxiety, and hysteria.
Yarrow is believed to help purify the system. As a diuretic, the herb promotes the release of toxic wastes (including uric acid) through increased urine flow, which is also helpful in cases of many urinary problems. As a strong, soothing diaphoretic, Yarrow naturally increases the body's temperature, opens skin pores, and stimulates free perspiration, thereby increasing the elimination of toxins through the skin. As an antispasmodic, Yarrow is believed to soothe smooth-muscle spasms (also helping to improve certain gastrointestinal conditions). It relieves general cramping and menstrual cramps. As an astringent, Yarrow has been used to treat diarrhea, especially mucous diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and excessive menstruation and bladder conditions, particularly relating to involuntary urination in children.
Cayenne is called a carrier or catalyst herb that increases the efficacy of almost every other herb or herbal combination. Cayenne promotes pain relief (taken both internally and applied topically). It provides natural heat, and its ingredient, capsaicin, is a strong pain-relieving agent that alleviates the joint pain of arthritis, rheumatism, muscle spasms, cramps and bowel pain. In addition, Cayenne triggers the release of endorphins by the brain, chemicals that relieve pain that may be helpful in treating cluster headaches.
Ginger Root is said to increase the absorption and efficacy of other herbs and drugs that are taken with it. Ginger has been used to cleanse the body of toxins through the skin by stimulating and increasing perspiration and has also been useful in breaking fevers. It is slightly diuretic and further cleanses the body by strengthening kidney function and increasing kidney filtration. Ginger is said to improve digestion and has been known to pep up the appetite, promote saliva production, combat dyspepsia and relieve flatulent colic. Ginger calms the stomach and eases digestion.
The American Academy of Family Physicians also has this article on Black Cohosh, which details it's uses and efficacy; interactions, adverse effects and contraindications; dosages; and other information about the herb.
